Pelosi Said Trump Picking Tillerson Meant He Was Friendly Toward Putin — Look What She Says Now

Following President Donald Trump's announcement Tuesday that he is replacing Rex Tillerson as secretary of state with current Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released a statement condemning the decision.

Pelosi said this proves Trump's decisions are based on the “whims” of Russian President Vladimir Putin because Tillerson said the poisoning of a former double agent “clearly” came from Russia.

“Secretary Tillerson's firing sets a profoundly disturbing precedent in which standing up for our allies against Russian aggression is grounds for a humiliating dismissal. President Trump's actions show that every official in his administration is at the mercy of his personal whims and his worship of Putin," she said.

“It is no wonder that the president has trouble attracting high-caliber people to his administration when he undercuts and humiliates those he supposedly respects,” she added.

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It wasn't too long ago, however, that Pelosi viewed Tillerson serving as secretary of state differently.

Pelosi said the nomination of Tillerson proves Trump is filling his cabinet with friends of Putin.

“Choosing an oil executive friendly with Vladimir Putin as secretary of state sends a disturbing signal about President-elect Trump's priorities,” Pelosi said in 2016. “Rex Tillerson's cozy relationship with the Kremlin is especially alarming in light of his attitude toward sanctions over Russia's aggressive behavior in Europe, while at the same time the president-elect continues to side with Russia over the judgment of the U.S. intelligence community.”